Hey guys, I have a simple question- I have the option to adjust the crossover on my receiver and on my sub. Should I set them both to the same level? What happens if I don't? Will they fight each other because they are set to different levels?

Also, would I see any benefit by hooking a Y-splitter to the L/R inputs on my sub? Currently i have it hooked to the LFE input. Thanks!

I wouldn't used the Sub crossover if your receiver does this for you. You should be able to either turn the crossover off on the sub or set just turn the dial to the highest crossover so they don't interfer with each other.

As for the LFE vs L/R inputs - the sub plays Mono, which is what the LFE input is designed for. My sub's input is not labeled "LFE" but has an L & R, both accept Mono. Quick answer, keep using the LFE input.

Hey guys, I have a simple question- I have the option to adjust the crossover on my receiver and on my sub. Should I set them both to the same level? What happens if I don't? Will they fight each other because they are set to different levels?

You answered your own question.

Regards,

There's an important point here that has been missed...

The LFE input will bypass the crossover on the sub. So the receiver handles the high pass for the speakers and the low pass for the subs

However, it is possible to use the crossover on the sub as a sort of EQ. If you have a rise in response near the crossover point you can use the crossover on the sub to lower the sub output in that region to gain a flat response. However, you should play around with positioning and phase first.

Make sure that your crossover slope is running the intended choice for your subwoofers and speakers. For example, if your speakers are 4th order crossover which equals 24dB octive slope, then there is no point to sending a 12dB octave crossover which is double the frequencies. The slope designed for your subwoofer should also be taken to account. It is best to set the crossover for their intended use based on speakers specs, then later go go back and adjust them with your favorite movies containing lots of bass.

Whoa, whoa, whoa...this just went way over my head... :)

Here is what I have- http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=SUB12

Your sub manual says

Crossover Frequency 50Hz – 150Hz
24dB/octave, continuously variable

As for the adjusting the crossover to avoid peaks, that is pretty common in nearfield applications and for avoiding some complications between speakers, but I think they require using a second setup for comparison. As said this will have to do with the speakers positioning.

so what should my crossover be set at? I have it at 80 now on the AMP

so what should my crossover be set at? I have it at 80 now on the AMP

What speakers do you have ? What is their claimed -3 dB low frequency extension ?

Regards,

What speakers do you have ? What is their claimed -3 dB low frequency extension ?

Regards,

goneten,

Maybe you can answer me too. I posted my question in the Focal thread but no one is answering to the question; may be because mine is not high-end enough :D

I have these Focal Dome 5.1 speakers and their specs:
Frequency Response (+-3dB) = 80Hz - 28kHz
Low Frequency Point ( - 6dB) = 72Hz

I ran Audyssey auto setup, it gave me for the crossover frequency as:
fronts: 150Hz
center: 120Hz
Rears: 90Hz
Sub: 120Hz

Here's my question. If the speakers can handle down to 80Hz, is it better to set the crossover frequency to 80Hz for all five speakers and let the sub handles anything lower than 80Hz? Thanks.

Here's my question. If the speakers can handle down to 80Hz, is it better to set the crossover frequency to 80Hz for all five speakers and let the sub handles anything lower than 80Hz? Thanks.

A crossover does not stop and start. It is a slope with a gradual roll-off both above and below the crossover point.

If you choose an 80 Hz crossover then that will mean that the speaker will still voice information to within an octave below that (to 40 Hz) except the levels will be attenuated (made less) by a factor of 12 dB's due to the nature of a 2nd-order roll-off.

The same thing will apply above the crossover point except the slope will differ. FYI, a slope is the rate of attenuation made above and below the crossover point. A low-pass filter will let the low frequencies pass while tapering output at higher frequencies and a high-pass filter will let the high frequencies pass while tapering low frequencies.

How much output rolls off is dependent on the slope. Most low-pass filters are fourth-order which means that output will be attenuated by 24 dB's to within one octave above the crossover point.

So, for example, if you choose an 80 Hz crossover point in your AVR, output will gradually taper off at a factor of 24 dB's from 80 Hz-160 Hz. This is a good thing because you don't want the subwoofer to voice dialog and other directional effects.

If your speakers low frequency numbers are correct then I would choose a higher crossover point (100 Hz, perhaps 120) because the output of the speaker will gradually taper off and the speaker and subwoofer will have a smoother transition period; the hand-off from speaker to subwoofer will be more consistent.

If one chooses a 60 Hz crossover point then the 2nd-order slope imposed would mean that the speaker would still be burdened with information down to 30 Hz but with a 12 dB attenuation.

Regards,

I have polk monitor 60's as my fronts and a polk CS1 as my center.

I would use a crossover point of 80 Hz in the receiver and maximize the crossover point on the subwoofer to avoid possible cascading.

Regards,